Biodiesel Fuels
The Environmental Protection Agency's new on-highway heavy diesel engine emissions regulation requires Original Equipment Manufactures (OEMs) to redesign products and components or release new model vehicles into their manufacturing operations.
In addition, these new vehicles require special low ash engine lubricants and the use of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel which contains less than 15ppm sulfur. The OEM's positions on potential issues associated with the use of fuel additives and/or biodiesel derivatives with these new vehicles are listed:
GSA encourages government vehicle owners and operators to familiarize themselves with and be cognizant of the recommendations in the OEMs’ owner/operator manuals provided with each vehicle as deviations to such may affect vehicle warranties.
The OEMs’ full support of Biodiesel Blend 20 (B20) is somewhat impeded due to the lack of a nationally recognized standard for B20. ASTM International is currently developing a specification (work item WK 7852 initiated on April 28, 2005) to address this issue. The Engine Manufacturers Association test specification for B20 that is being distributed is not an officially recognized national standard.
Last Reviewed 2/27/2009